Graph printing machine



March 9, 1954 R. A. ANDERSON GRAPH PRINTING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 29, 1950 INVENTOR R e W M.

Mam}! 1954 R. A. ANDERSON GRAPH PRINTING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 29, 1950 March 9, 1954 R. A. ANDERSON 2,671,548

GRAPH PRINTING MACHINE Filed Nov. 29 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR 7mg W AM.

Patented Mar. 9, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GRAPH PRINTING MACHINE Ralph Andrew Anderson, Perth Amboy, N. J.

Application November 29, 1950, Serial No. 198,143

15 Claims. 1

The invention relates to devices for automatically printing graphs under selective control of manually operable digital control means.

' Various types of graph printing machines have been designed wherein the positioning of a printing member has been accomplished either by means of electric circuit-balancing servo-mechanisms, electric meter deflections, or different lever and gearing combinations. Most of these devices, however, are very expensive and intricate, and some of the continuous curve line plotting electrical devices can only record data which can be continuously converted into the required controlling electrical effect.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive graph plotting machine which can be operated manually by an operator. The machine of the invention dispenses with the slow manual operation of charting data by providing a convenient and rapid means for directly recording observed data values as a graphical curve.

The primary object of the invention is to provide means for automatically plotting a series of data values as a curve line indicating the variations or trends of datum values.

An object of the invention is to provide means to record graphically by a single mark the summation of amounts in more than one denominational order. A plurality of orders of laterally spaced digital control keys are arranged along a keyboard which may be adjusted laterally by a lower order control dial. The control keys are separately depressible by an operator down through the keyboard as selectable stops limiting the amounts of lateral movement of corresponding positioning elements which cooperate so as to effect the differential lateral movement of a printing member to put it in a printing position to record a graphical value according to the dififerent amounts of movement of each positioning element allowed by a selected control key in each denominational order.

The invention provides a chart printing member which though adapted to print only a single point, is controlled by a plurality of devices moved difierentially. The invention discloses means for giving a point printing member a primary adjustment under control of one order of control keys, and a secondary adjustment under control of a lower order of control keys. A finer degree of positioning control is provided under control of a still lower order control dial by giving both orders of control keys a small, preliminary adiustment.

Another object is to provide a graph printing machine having novel means for effecting a variably adjustable step advance of the graph sheet.

Another object is to provide a graph printing machine comprising the combination of novel means for the positioning of a printing member and for the step advance of a graph sheet.

A feature of the invention is the printing of a plurality of different curves in different colors on a single chart enabling a comparison of trends or variations in data.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of means for expanding a graph by plotting multiple values of the original data values.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following specification of a practical embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, and the novel features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

Thus it will be seen that the invention comprises a novel hand-operated graph printing machine having a movable printing member for printing points on a graph sheet, the printing member being automatically positioned trans versely of the graph sheet according to which keys of a controlling keyboard are operated, and the graph sheet being advanced longitudinally in stepwise increments.

The graph sheet is fed around a horizontal roller or platen which is arranged to move the sheet upwards in front of the printing member. The paper is usually fed a step for each operation of the machine. A separate manual control is also provided to effect a step advance of the graph sheet without operating the printing member. Each of the two paper advancing means are independently adjustable to effect different amounts of paper advance.

The printing member is a small, transparent pen containing colored ink. These pens are quickly and easily interchangeable on the machine so that several pens containing differently colored ink may be provided. Then, when a graph has been completed in one color, the pen may be replaced by another and the graph sheet returned to its original position ready to start the printing of another graph line in another color representing the variations in data of another class. The pen is arranged to print on the roller along a line generally in the same horizontal plane as the roller axis.

The invention is illustrated as a simple, compact, accurate graph printing machine which could be inexpensively manufactured and might therefore be widely used in schools, laboratories, etc. The device provides a convenient means whereby, for example in laboratories, runs involving experimentally observed data values can be rapidly plotted as a series of printed points in graphical form on a graph sheet so that the trend of the data will be immediately indicated as the points are printed. Several series of data values may be printed on. a graph sheet and these points may later be connected by drawing lines through similar points of the same color in the usual way. The graph points may, of course, be printed on either a blank sheet or on regular coordinate ruled graph paper.

As herein illustrated, the machine is designed with a paper feed roller length sufficient to handle the usual notebook size sheets of graph paper which are generally about eight (8) to nine (9) inches in width. However, the linear dimensions described in this application are used only as one example aiding a clearer disclosure of the invention, and are not to be considered as limiting the scope of the invention.

The herein disclosed pen positioning apparatus includes three banks or denominations of data receiving controls for positioning a single point printing member in order to place a single mark on a graph at a distance from the datum line representative of the data. Thus, for each machine cycle, the pen may be selectively positioned to print a point at any one of 999 increments of chart point spacing. These divisions may be in the English (inches), metric (centimeters), or any other linear system. In the present invention, the metric system is used with each small subdivision equal to 0.02 centimeter and a full scale range of the pen across the graph sheet of 19.98 centimeters. In order to directly interpolate numerical values of the recorded graph points from their location on the graph sheet, metric (centimeter) graph paper must be used in the machine. It is well to point out that because the graph sheet is advanced upwardly and the pen positioned towards the right (in the illustrated invention), the origin of the graph will be at the upper left-hand corner of the graph sheet providing a graph with a vertical datum line. However, it is a simple matter when the completed graph sheet is removed from the machine to merely turn the sheet of paper so that the origin will be in its normal position at the lower lefthand corner of the graph.

The pen is loosely attached to and is carried by a transversely movable carriage having a clutch part, hereinafter for convenience called a transverse clutch, which may be positioned transversely of the graph sheet in two consecutive actions by a primary positioning element under control of the primary keys, and by a secondary positioning element under control of the secondary keys. The position to which the pen is moved by the manually actuated power means is predetermined by an operated primary control key which limits the movement of the primary positioning element, and by an operated secondary control key limiting the movement of the secondary positioning element. A still lower order of positioning control is effected by a previous controlled shift of a keyboard carrying all of the primary and secondary control keys. The pen is arranged to automatically print a graph point consecutive to its secondary positioning.

In the present invention, the power means for operation of the machine is actuated under manual control of an operator. A handle is connected to a lever which is pulled forward through an arc of about degrees and then returned to its starting position by the operator to complete a machine cycle. Upon the forward movement of the lever the primary positioning element is actuated and at a further point the secondary positioning element is actuated in order to efiect the transverse positioning of the pen. At a still further point in the forward movement of the lever, the pen support means is actuated to cause the pen to print a point on the graph sheet. During the reverse, or return operation of the manual operating lever, the graph sheet is automatically advanced a step, and the pen and pen positioning elements are returned to their original, normal position at the left of the machine.

To maintain clarity in the accompanying drawings, several of the parts of the machine are shown in simplified form (e. g., the control keys in Fig. l), and in other cases may be either partly or entirely omitted to permit an unobstructed view of other portions of the machine (e. g., omission of some of the secondary stops 46 in Fig. 1). However, in each case, the simplified or omitted parts are clearly shown in another detailed view.

In the drawings illustrating the invention:

Fig. 1 is a comprehensive oblique front plan view of the graph printing machine showing the control keys, the various pen positioning elements, the pen attached to the transverse clutch, the paper advancing roller, and the roller drive rotary clutch mechanisms at each end of the roller.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged comprehensive oblique plan view from the rear of a portion of the graph printing machine showing the drive and control mechanisms for the devices of the machine and with a longitudinal half-section of the paper feed roller.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation detail view of the lefthand end of the keyboard showing the mounting of the control keys thereon. The smaller views 3a and 3b are sectional views along the lines a-a and b-b, respectively, in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 is a front plan view of a portion of the right-hand side of the keyboard omitting springs 82 shown in Fig. 3 and exaggerating somewhat the deflection to the right of the lower end of an operated control key.

Fig. 5 is a plan view from above the keyboard showing the arrangement of the control keys and the range elector bars.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram to show how a primary key may be depressed to limit the movement of the primary positioning element, and how a secondary key may be depressed to limit the consecutive movement of the secondary positioning element. The letters a, b, and 0, indicate that order of actuation of the pen positioning elements, and controls.

Fig. '7 is a side elevation view, as removed from the rear of the machine (Fig. 2), of the transverse clutch and the primary positioning element, and also shows the transverse clutch lock mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a sectional elevation view of the transverse clutch taken along the lines 8-8 in Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram view in a simplified arrangement of the drive mechanisms for effecting the primary positioning and return of the transverse clutch (and pen).

Fig. 10 is a side elevation view of one of the rotary clutch roller advancing drive mechanisms.

Fig. 11 is an elevation plan view of one ofthe rotary clutch mechanisms turned 90 degrees .from its position in Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 consists of two detail plan views, a and b, of the pen.

The machine generally resembles a typewriter (Fig. 1), in which the base I and the longitudinally spaced side members 2 and 3 connected by the reinforcing cross-bar 4 at the rear, comprise a frame for supporting the paper advancing rollor or platen 5 and the keyboard 9. The three rods I5, I6, and I1, extend the full distance between, and are secured at their ends to, the side members .2 and 3, and are the supporting guide means along which the various positioning elements are movable just beneath the rows of control keys in order to adjust the pen 9| to its selected printing position. The pen SI is supported in printing relationship with the roller 5 by the support arms 93 and 94 which extend downwardly to the transverse clutch as shown, and the attached pen support arms are laterally movable with the transverse clutch to carry the pen 9| along the length of roller 5 in the open space between the roller 5 and the keyboard 9.

The transverse clutch is a mechanism which may be given an initial lateral adjustment by one positioning element under control of one row of control keys, and may be given a further consecutive lateral adjustment by another positioning element under control of another row of control keys, to put the pen 9| in a printing position according to the differential adjustment of both positioning elements. The printing member 9| may thus be moved to a printing position by two consecutive adjustments under the selective control of two denominational orders of control devices. The control apparatus consists of two parallel rows of ten control keys each, numbered consecutively, left to right, from zero through nine (9). The row nearest the roller is the highest order, and these primary (positioning element) control keys I3 are spaced uniformly apart at two centimeter (2.00 cm.) intervals. The second row is the next highest order, and these secondary (positioning element) control keys I4 are spaced uniformly apart at about two and eight-tenths centimeter (2.8 cm.) intervals. The control keys are supported by the keyboard 9 in a push-button arrangement so that the lower ends of the keys extend downwardly beneath the keyboard s as shown (Figs. 1, 3, and 4) The rows of control keys are aligned above the rods I5 and I6, arranged so that only one key in each row may be depressed in opera- 1 tive control position at a time. The lower extremity of an operated primary key I3 then acts as a stop limiting the lateral movement of a primary positioning element along rod I 5, while the lower extremity of an operated secondary key I4 acts as a stop limiting the consecutive lateral movement of a secondary positioning element along rod I6 (and I1).

The design of the motion-limiting control keys is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. In Figs. 3, 3a, and 3b, the primary control key I3, on the left, has at its bottom a machine screw 83 as an adjustment. The secondary control key I4, on the right, has no adjustment at its bottom, but is formed as a reduced, blade-like section (3b). I wires 84 attached to th keys extend upwardly into vertical guide holes in the keyboard 9 to maintain the control ends of the keys in cor- .rect alignment with their respective positioning elements by preventing rotation of these round Bent guide keys in their guide holes. The two rows of control keys each have a separat but identical interlock mechanism for each row operating so that any key in a given row in depressed position is automatically released and rises when any other key in the same row is depressed in control position. Since the interlock mechanisms for each row are identical, a description of one will suffice for the other.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, it is seen that the keyboard 9 is a relatively thick horizontal member having rows of holes through which the rod-like keys I3 and I 4 are vertically movable. Above the keyboard, springs 82 support the keys in their normal raised position, as key I3 in Fig. 3. In Figs. 3 and i, the lower ends of the keys are grooved peripherally to provide a catch groove and an adjacent, lower, release groove generally of, the form shown. The upper wall of the release groove is bevelled downwardly and a shoulder is provided secured to the lower wall of the release groove. Referring now particularly to Fig. 4, it is seen that the interlock grooves of all the keys in a row may extend down through corresponding interlock openings in the catch lock strip 85. The catch lock strip 85 is a long thin member having identical interlock openings for each key, circular in the present instance, which have a somewhat larger diameter than that of the control keys. These openings are spaced along the catch lock strip 85 distances corresponding to the spacing of the control keys along the keyboard 9. Not shown in the drawing are any simple means for guiding and supporting the catch lock strip 85 longitudinally beneath the keyboard as shown.

In Fig. 4, the catch lock strip 85 may thus shift longitudinally either left or right according to the actuation of a control key, but the catch lock strip is normally urged rightwards by the action of the tension spring 86. It will be understood that the springs 82 which are not illustrated in Fig. 4 are effective to raise the control keys into their upper, inoperative position. Then it will be seen that as a control key I4 (on the left in Fig. 4) is depressed, the bevelled wall of its lower release groove will cause the catch lock strip 85 to move leftwards so that the catch lo'ck strip 85 is simultaneously moved out of locking engagement with the upper, catch groove of the other control key on the right in Fig. 4. This disengagement allows a spring 82 to immediately raise the second control key out of control position. Meanwhile, as the operated key on the left is pushed further downwards by an operator, the catch lock strip 85 becomes engaged with its catch groove so that the key is held down in control position. It will no doubt be obvious now that the purpose of th earlier mentioned shoulder near the lower end of each key is to limit the upward movement of a released key by the springs 82. Thus, there is never more than one key in a row depressed in control position, and the last key data settings used remain in distinguishable control position as indicators of the numerical value of the last point printed by the pen. An important feature is the deflection to the right of the lower end of an operated control key (shown slightly exaggerated in Fig. 4) by the catch lock strip 35. This deflection results in the removal of all free play from the lower end of an operated key thus permitting very accurate positioning control.

Before proceeding with a description of the mechanisms and operation of the graph printing machine it seems advisable to provide abrief preliminary description of certain composite operative mechanisms therein for identification purposes. It has been pointed out that the pen 9| is mounted on a movable carriage termed a transverse clutch, and that the transverse clutch is given an initial adjustment by a primary positioning element under control of the primary keys l3, and consecutively is given a further adju'stment by a secondary positioning element under control of the secondary keys I4.

The primary positioning element is shown in Figs. 1, 2, 6, 7, and 9, and consists of the tube 36 slidable along rod l aligned beneath the row of primary keys l3, and the attached vertical guide bar 31 having a yoke at the bottom freely slidable along the member 24.

The secondary positioning element is shown in Figs. 1 and 9, and in part in Figs. 2, 6, 7, and 8. In Fig. 9, the secondary positioning element consists of the tube 24 slidable along the rod I! (beneath rod l5) secured by the end members 44 and 45 to another tube 43 slidable along rod 6 aligned beneath the row of secondary keys I4, the members 24, 43, 44, and 45 comprising a rigid frame slidable as a unit along the parallel supporting rods l6 and IT.

The transverse clutch is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, and is also shown in Figs. 1, 2, 6, and 9.

The motion of the parts in Figs. 2, 7, and 9, is described as viewed from the rear of the machine. In Figs. '7 and 8, the transverse clutch consists of the tube 23 slidable along rod l5, having the attached strap 25 and the integral pin 26 from which the links 21, 21, at each side, are pivotally connected at their ends to the actual clutch part. This clutch part consists of a rigid angular frame 'of identical parallel members 28, 28, and the firmly attached integral pins 29, 30, 3|, and 32, the members 28, 28, being held spaced apart by these pins somewhat more than the diameter of the secondary positioning element tube 24 intermediate of the members 28, 28, 30, and 3|. The clutch pins 39 and 3| are also spaced apart from each other somewhat more than the diameter of the tube 24 (see Fig. 8), preferably so that with each pin contacting an opposite side of tube 24, both pins will lie in a plane passing through the tube 24 at about a degree angle. Links 21, 21,

are freely pivoted on pins 26 and 29, and form a flexible connection to the angular clutch frame just described. A guide bar 33 is secured to the tube 23 and has a yoke at its bottom slidable along secondary element tube 24, the bar 33 serving to prevent any rotation of tube 23 on rod l5 in order to maintain proper alignment of the parts of the transverse clutch. In order to insure continuous contact of the clutch pins 30 and 3| with the intermediate secondary element tube 24, a tension spring 34 is attached from the free end of the clutch frame, at pin 32, to the transverse clutch tube 23 as shown (Fig. 7). This tension spring 34 is adjusted to exert just a bit more than the minimum tension required to maintain the just described contact of the clutch pins 30 and 3| with the intermediate secondary element tube 24. Thus it will be shown that the clutch frame and its integral pins 30 and 3| form .a lever and fulcrum system in which the frictional engagement of pins 30 and 3| with the intermediate secondary element tube 24 will be either increased or decreased according to the relative directions of movement of the transverse clutch and the secondary positioning element (tube 24).

The transverse clutch is shifted to locate the pen 9| in different printing positions transversely of the graph sheet according to the preset control devices by the following hand-powered means.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 9, the mechanisms of the graph printing machine are actuated by operation of the manual operating lever 8 having the handle l9. Lever I8 is connected by the shaft 2|, bearing through the side member 2, to drive the large gear 41. Gear 41 meshes with the smaller gear 48 to drive the shaft 49 journalled in the side member 2 and at the other end in any suitable supporting bracket (not shown). The geared-up drive provides the largerrange of movement required for the primary positioning element. Drive pulley 50 and an attached disc 5| are rotatable on shaft 49, and a spiral spring 52 connected from the pin 53 on disc 5| to the pin 54 on shaft 49 provides a yieldable drive of pulley 50 by the shaft 49. A cable 38 connected to be wound on pulley 50 passes around idler pulley 62 to a connection 39 on the primary positioning element 36--31. Manual operation of the lever l8 may thus effect a yieldable rotation of pulley 5|] to move the primary element 36-31 to a primary position controlled by an operated primary control key I3.

In Figs. 1, 2, 7, and 9, the primary control keys l3 are spaced laterally along the supporting keyboard 9, forming a row aligned above the primary positioning element guide rod I5, the keys in this row being separately depressible as motionlimiting stops for the primary element 3631. The primary element guide bar 31 extends upwardly as shown so that it may be moved against, and thus stopped by, any one of the operated (depressed) primary keys |3. The primary keys |3 are spaced uniformly apart at 2.00 centimeter intervals and thus the primary element 36-31 may be adjusted to any one of the several primary positions a distance equal tothe multiple of an operated primary control key number times 2.00 centimeters. In other words, with primary key number zero (0) operated, the primary element cannot be moved ahead, with primary key number one (1) operated, the primary element can be moved ahead (to the right in Fig. 1) by the previously described yieldable primary element drive 2.00 cm., with primary key number two (2) operated, the primary element can be moved ahead 4.00 cm., etc. The primary positioning element and the transverse clutch are slidable along the same rod 5, and thus the transverse clutch may be pushed ahead by the primary element 36-31 during the previously described primary positioning of the primary element to, accomplish the simultaneous initial adjustment of the transverse clutch to put the pen 9| in a primary position according to the selected operated primary control key l3. As the transverse clutch is pushed ahead by the primary element during a primary positioning action (see Figs. 7 and 9), the pull on pin 29 by the links 21, 21, as well as the continual frictional contact of pins 30 and 3| with the intermediate secondary element tube 24, tends to cause a rocking action of the clutch frame on pin 30 as an axis, resulting in a counterbalancing of the tension of the spring 34 and a considerable decrease of the frictional contact of clutch pins 30 and 3| with said intermediate secondary element tube 24. This action provides an inoperative engagement of the transverse clutch with the secondary positioning element, so that as the transverse clutch is pushed ahead to a.

primary position, the clutch pins 30 and 3! slide easily along the initially stationary secondary element tube 24.

The following paragraph describes the means provided for returning the primary positioning element and the transverse clutch to their original, starting positions.

While the transverse clutch is being pushed ahead by the primary positioning element (Figs. 2 and 9), the transverse clutch pulls on a cable 35 connected from pin 3| around idler pulleys 63 and 54 to rotate a return pulley 5'. mounted on a keyedbearing 56 threaded loosely on a threaded part 55 of shaft 49. Cable 35 is connected so that as it is unwound from pulley '51, the pulley will rotate in the direction of shaft 49-. A friction bar 59 pivotal on a. bracket 5'6, pressed lightly against the peripheral edge of pulley 5l' by a spring 6!, normally prevents rotation of pulley 51 by the shaft 49. The transverse clutch spring 34 is tensioned sufliciently to prevent disengagement of clutch pins 30 and 3| from secondary element tube 24 by the frictional restraint of cable 35 by the bar 53. When the transverse clutch and the primary element are stopped by an operated primary key I3 as earlier described, pulley 51' is no longer rotated by cable 35 and is prevented from further rotation by bar 59. This stopping of pulley 51 does not interfere with the continued rotation of shaft 49 because the threaded part 55 rotates in the now stationary pulley bearing 56 resulting only in a slight lateral shift of pulley 57 along threaded part 55 away from a keyed collar 58, fast on shaft 49. During the return operation of the manual lever is, rotation of shaft 49 is reversed and bearing 55 is shifted back along threads 55 so that the keyed ends of pulley bearing 56 and collar 58 re-engage. The positively driven pulley 5'! now winds the attached cable 35 which first disengages the clutch part of the transverse clutch from the secondary element tube 24 by counterbalancing the tension of spring 34 by pulling on the pin 3|. The cable 35 then provides a positive return drive of the transverse clutch by the continued winding of cable 35 by pulley 5?, and the transverse clutch returns the primary positioning element by pushing it back, as the tension on the primary element drive cable 38 is reduced during the reverse operation of the manual lever it.

The secondary positioning element is actuated in its turn consecutively to the primary positioning action earlier described. Upon the forward operation of the manual lever It, a, pulley 65 attached to the drive shaft 2| is also caused to rotate in order to wind the connected cable 56 (Figs. 1 and 2). The cable 56 passes around an idler pulley 6! and is connected to a spring 68 (Fig. 1) which is in turn secured to a downward extension of a part 48 fastened on the tube 45 of the secondary positioning element. These members provide a yieldable drive means for moving the secondary positioning element. The secondary positioning element is prevented from being moved by the yieldable drive means until the transverse clutch has been given its initial adjustment by the primary positioning element as earlier described. In Figs. 1 and 2, the springable catch or stop 7| normally prevents forward movement of the secondary positioning element until it is released at the proper point of forward operation of manual lever l8, by a trip bar Tl fastened on the extended end of drive shaft 2| The other parts associated with this release mechanism are shown in Fig. 2, comprising the rod 15 from the 10 catch H to the'pivot 15 at the end of bar 14 which is fast to the bent trip lever 72 pivotal in the member 13 attached to the base I.

Thus, as the manual lever 18 is pulled forward, the spring 58 is gradually tensioned but the secondary positioning element is at first not moved. Then, as the lever 18 is pulled further forward, the trip bar 1'! on shaft 2! moves against the bent trip lever i2 which releases the catch H from holding back the secondary positioning element, and the secondary positioning element is then pulled forward by the tensioned spring 68. A simple dashpot arrangement 70 (Fig. l) is provided to act as a governor of the rate at which the secondary positioning element is moved ahead by the spring 58. The secondary element tube 43 has ten laterally spaced steps '46 attached thereon' which extend upwardly beneath the secondary control keys M as shown (Figs. 1, 2, and 9), so that when an operated secondary control key It is depressed in control position, the key cooperates with a corresponding secondary stop 45 so as to limit the amount of movement of the secondary positioning element according to the different spacing between each secondary control key M and its coacting secondary stop 45. In the illustrated form of the invention, the said different spacing is equal to the multiple of the operated secondary control key number times two-tenths centimeters (0.20 cm.). This differential spacing is most clearly shown in Fig. 6, where it will be noted that each secondary stop 46 is spaced progressively further apart from its corresponding secondary control key M. In other words, with secondary key number zero (0) operated, the secondary positioning element cannot be moved ahead by the tensioned spring 58, with secondary key number one (1) operated, the secondary element can be moved ahead (to the right in Figs. 1 and 6) 0.20 cm., with secondary key number two (2) operated, the secondary element can be moved ahead 0.40 cm.. etc.

It will be remembered that the purpose of the secondary positioning element is to give the transverse clutch a further adjustment under control of the secondary control keys M. It will also be recalled that the clutch part of the transverse clutch was inoperatively engaged with the tube 24 of the secondary positioning element during the primary positioning of the transverse clutch. After the transverse clutch has been adjusted to a primary position, the clutch part of the transverse clutch becomes operatively securely engaged with the tube 24 of the secondary positioning element when that positioning element is moved ahead, to give the transverse clutch its second adjustment.

During the positioning actions (see particularly Figs. '7 and 8), the spring 34 pulls continually on its end of the clutch frame, and the spring 34 thus tends to rock the clutch frame on the pin 3! as an axis so that the clutch pins 30 and 3| are urged into continual frictional contact with the intermediate secondary positioning element tube 24. The transverse clutch is moved by the primary positioning element to a primary posi= tion, as described before, and the transverse clutch is temporarily stationary at this position. When the secondary positioning element is actuated, its tube 24, intermediate of the transverse clutch pins 30 and 3 I, is moved ahead (left in Fig. 7). The movement ahead of tube 24, as well as the frictional contact therewith of the clutch pins 30 and 3|, tends to rock the clutch frame further on the pin 3| as an axis in the same direction as by the spring 34. This rocking of the clutch frame results in such a considerable increase in the frictional contact of pins 30 and 3| with the secondary element tube 24, that the clutch frame and the tube 24 become immovably securely engaged or locked with each other. Therefore, when the secondary element tube 24 is moved ahead by actuation of the secondary positioning element, the tightly engaged clutch frame moves with it to move the connected transverse clutch to its secondary position determined by an operated secondary control key M. The tight engagement of the transverse clutch pins 30 and 3| with secondary element tube 24 takes place almost instantly upon the forward movement of the secondary positioning element, since the pins 30 and 3| are continually maintained in frictional contact with the intermediate secondary element tube 24 by the spring 34.

Thus it has been shown how a transverse clutch may be adjusted by a primary positioning element under control of the primary control keys l3, and consecutively adjusted further by a secondary positioning element under control of the secondary control keys M, in order to put the printing member 9| (Fig. 1) in a printing position according to the differential adjustments of the transverse clutch.

The secondary positioning element is returned to its original position towards the left of the machine (Fig. 1) by the Weaker spring 69, as the tension on drive spring 68 is reduced when the operating lever I8 is returned to its original position. As the secondary positioning element reaches its original position, the springable catch 1| automatically snaps into its normal stop position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In order to effect a finer degree of pen positioning control than is provided by the primary and secondary control keys, a third denominational order of control means is provided for shifting the entire keyboard 9 and its mounted control keys to the right (in Fig. 1)

Referring now to Figs. 1, 5, and 6, the keyboard 9 is supported aligned above the transverse positioning mechanisms by the pins |0, It), at each end, slidable laterally in bearing holes in the side members 2 and 3. Suflicient clearance II, is allowed at the ends to permit the required maximum third order shift of about two-tenths centimeters (0.20 cm.). In Fig. 5, the control dial l2 bears against side member 2 and may be manually adjusted to rotate the attached leadscrew l8 threadably engaged with the bracket 19 fastened on the bottom of keyboard 9. A compressed coil spring 80 encircling the leadscrew l8 urges the keyboard 9 leftwards in Fig. 5. Thus, the leadscrew 19 may adjust the keyboard 9 to the right while the spring 80 enables its return. The spring 89 is stronger than the forces exerted by the actuated primary and secondary positioning elements against their respective control keys in order to prevent any shifting of the keyboard 9 by these forces. An index pointer 8| is provided aligned on the top edge of side member 2 to indicate the manually adjusted control dial value.

Since any shift of the keyboard 9 results in the same amount of shift of all the control keys simultaneously, an equal increment is thus added to each key in the primary and secondary orders. As herein described, the control dial numbers are spaced apart around the dial according to the screw thread I9 so that the keyboard will be shifted to the right (in Figs. 1 and a distance equal to the multiple of the control dial number times one-hundredth centimeters (0.01 cm.).

since this shift is effective in both the primary and the secondary orders, this keyboard shift will allow an actual additional movement of the transverse clutch of 0.02 cm. times the control dial number setting. In other words, with the the transverse clutch 0.01 cm. further right during the secondary positioning action, thus allowing a total additional rightward movement of the transverse clutch of 0.02 cm.; with the control dial set at two (2), the keyboard is shifted right 0.02 cm. and adds 0.04 cm. to the movement of the transverse clutch as described, etc.

The following example will demonstrate the directly proportionate adjustments of the various pen positioning devices in accordance with the manually preset control key and dial values, to put the pen in a printing position a differential distance from the vertical datum line proportionate to and representative of the multidenominational data value entered. Assume that primary key "9, and secondary key '7, are depressed in control position, and that the control dial is set at 8. During the primary positioning action the primary positioning element will push the. transverse clutch carrying the pen (9x200 cm.) plus (8 0.01 cm), or 18.08 cm. right. Then,

during the secondary positioning action, the transverse clutch and pen will be moved further right by the secondary positioning element (VX0120 cm.) plus (8x001 cm.), or 1.48 cm., so that the total movement rightwards of the pen will be 18.08 cm. plus 1.48 cm., or, 19.56 cm. Other control settings will in an obvious manner effect a directly proportionate positioning of the pen 9|.

From the above it may be gathered that the graph printing member 9| (Fig. 1) is positioned according to the adjustment of two positioning elements under selective control of three orders of motion-limiting devices. The first, or primary, positioning element adjusts the member 9| by pushing the transverse clutch ahead, through large increments of movement according to the lateral position of an operated primary key l3, and through additional smaller increments according to the lateral shift of the keyboard by the control dial I2 and consequent shift of an operated primary control key I3. The secondary positioning element gives the member 9| a second, consecutive lateral adjustment 'by the operative engagement of the clutch part of the transverse clutch with the secondary positioning element so that the transverse clutch is then moved by the secondary positioning element according to the differential distance between an operated secondary control key I4 and its coacting secondary positioning element stop 46, and through addi- 1 A transverse clutch lock mechanism is provided in order to prevent the inertial displacement of the transverse clutch away from, and ahead of,

the primary positioning element, as would otherwise occur if the primary element, pushing the transverse clutch ahead of it, should move rapidly against, and be instantly stopped by an operated (depressed) primary control key I3. In Fig. 7, a pendant bar 40 swings freely on a pivot pin 4! secured to the primary element guide bar 31. The upper end of bar 40 is out off at a slight angle as shown. A catch 42 pivotally attached to the extended transverse clutch pin 20 (see Fig. 8) extends over the top edge of the pendant bar 40, being formed as an angular catch shaped to catch on the upper, angular end of bar 40. The extreme free end of catch 42 is extended back for a length somewhat greater than the maximum secondary adjustment of the transverse clutch. The lower, extreme edge of catch 42 is aligned slightly abov a horizontal line passing through the center of pivot pin 4|, and is normally supported in this alignment by the uppermost, cutoff edge of bar 40.

Thus, as the primary element 30-31 pushes the transverse clutch ahead, the transverse clutch look is in the position shown in Fig. '1. Then, when the primary element guide bar 31 strikes against an operated primary key I3, inertia swings the lower end of bar 40- to the left in Fig. 7 so that the lower, extreme edge of catch 12 is dropped down somewhat below a horizontal line passing through the center of pivot pin 9| by the cam action of the cut-off edge or top of the bar 40. Under these circumstances, the catch 42 holds the transverse clutch from being displaced inertially from the then stationary primary element lit-31. When the inertial effect (on bar 50) has been dissipated, the lower end of bar 49 swings back to its original position as shown in Fig. 7. transverse clutch is then free to be given its secondary adjustment as earlier described, because the lower, extreme edge of catch 42 is normally (Fig. '7) slightly above a horizontal line passing through th center of the pivot pin 4| when the transverse clutch and the primary positioning element are at rest. Thus, the (leftwards, in Fig. 7) movement of the transverse clutch alone directs the force from transverse clutch pin 20 through catch 42 to this critical point on the back edge of the pendant bar 40 slightly above the center of pin 4!, so that the leverage swings the upper end of bar 49 leftwards enough so that catch 42 is disengaged from bar 40, the extension of the free end of catch 42 then sliding freely on the top edge of pendant bar 40 so that both may be re-engaged when the transverse clutch is returned to its original starting position as earlier described.

The graph point printing is effected automatically consecutively to the secondary positioning action previously described, and the devices for printing a single mark or point are described in the following paragraphs.

Referring to Fig. 12, a and b, the pen 9! shown here enlarged, is a hollow tubular container for holding ink, having a reduced part I2! for delivering the ink through the orifice I I1 onto a graph sheet. A machine screw I I9 permits adjusting the attached needle valve member I 50 to control the amount of ink deposited on a graph sheet to print a single dot or point for each graph printing operation. The vent I20 is provided to prevent loss of ink through the orifice I I1 as might otherwise occur by air pressure changes within the pen due to ambient temperature changes. Only a drop of ink is introduced near th orifice end of the pen, this amount being sufficient to print hundreds of inked points on the graph sheet.

As shown in Fig. l, the pen 9| is mounted in The 1 a block 92 supported by the two support arms 93 and 94 (see also Fig. 2) extending downwardly to the bars 95 and pivotally carried by the transverse clutch slide tube 23. The bars and 96 are fast to the interconnecting member 91 so that the framework composed of the parts 92-91 may rock on the transverse clutch tube 23 as an axis in order to swing the pen 9| against a graph sheet held on the roller 5 to print a graph point.

Thus it is seen that the pen SI is connected with the transverse clutch and is laterally movable therewith to various predetermined printing positions according to the selected control key and dial values as earlier described.

The graph point printing is accomplished in the following manner. Referring to Fig. 1 and particularly to Fig. 2, the manual operating lever I8 is connected to drive a pulley 55 fast on the drive shaft 2!. A cable III is connected from pulley 65 up around the supported (support means not shown) idler pulleys H2 and H3, and down to the spring IIO attached to the control end of the horizontal print control bar I05 (Fig. 2). In Fig. l, the other end of print control bar I05 is fast to a rod IOI pivotally bearing in the blocks I03 and I04 attached to the base I. Grossconnecting pins I02 support a print control rod 98 parallel to the rod NH and parallel to the rod I5 along which the transverse clutch slide tube 23 is movable. The lower extremity of the bar 95 has a yoke-like opening I00 freely slidable along the print control rod 98 so that when the rod 98 is rocked in a short are having the rod IOI as an axis, the pen supporting frame 9291 is rocked on the transverse clutch slide tube 23 as an axis and the pen SI is swung in against a graph sheet on the roller 5. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the print control rod 98 is so rocked by the attached print control bar I05 when the spring H0 is energized by the operation of manual operating lever I8. However, a catch I06 cooperating with an integral vertical extension of the horizontal print control bar I05 (as shown, Fig. 2) normally prevents the actuation of control bar I05 by spring IIO until all of the pen positioning actions have been completed. The catch I05 is fast to a shaft I01 pivotal in the block 13 attached to the base I. The other end of shaft I01 is fast to a bar I00 having the adjustment screw I09. A simple spring tension means (not illustrated) normally maintains the catch mechanism in the engaged position shown. The trip bar 11 fast on the drive shaft 2| turns with the shaft 2I and at a predetermined point pushes against the adjustment screw I09 on the bar I98 resulting in the disengagement of the catch I06 from the print control bar I05. The bar I05 is pulled up therefore quickly by the energized spring H0, the motion of the bar I05 being limited by a stop'formed of the overhanging sidewards extension of part of a pulley bracket IIG (Fig. 2). The yoke opening I00 at the lower end of bar 95 is somewhat wider than the diameter of the intermediate print control rod 90 so that the pen support frame 92-91 may swing the pen 9i somewhat further in against a graph sheet on the roller 5 by the inertia of the upper parts 92-94 of the pen support frame than would otherwise be permitted by the tension spring 99 connected from the lower end of bar 96 to the vertical guide bar 33 of the transverse clutch. Thus, after the pen BI is quickly swung by the spring III) against the graph sheet, the spring 99 moves the pen immediately about oneeighth inch away from the graph sheet so that clear points are printed without smudging.

The graph point printing means described are reset as the manual operating lever I is returned, the tension on the spring IIO being reduced enough so that the weight of the control bar I swings it down, and the bar I05 is automatically reengaged by the catch I06.

From the foregoing it may be gathered that as the manual operating lever I8 is pulled forward, the spring H0 is tensioned, and at a further point the catch I06 holding down the print control bar I05 is released by the trip bar 11. The bar I05 is pulled up quickly by spring IIO against a stop IIB rocking the print control rod 90 (Fig. 1), and thus by the yoke I00 on the bar 95 swinging the pen 9| in against a graph sheet on the roller 5.

Thus, the pen may be actuated to print a point at any selected position transversely of the graph sheet, since the pen supporting frame 929'l, carried by the transverse clutch along the guide rod I5, is always operably connected with the print control rod 98 by means of the yoke I00 of bar 95.

Generally, when a curve is to be plotted, the largest of a series of data values is plotted at the maximum distance from the datum line in order to expand the graph and facilitate interpolation. For example, assume that the maximum value in a set of data is three hundred thirty-seven (337). Since the previously described full scale range is 999 divisions, the graph point will normally be printed at a position 337/999 of the full scale range, or i. e., at a position only about one-third /3) of the distance across the graph sheet.

By the use of what are herein termed range selector bars, easy and simple expansion of a graph may be accomplished.

The range selector bars are illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, and 5 (not shown in Fig. 1). In the drawings, these square bars are pivotally supported by the pins 81, beside each row of control keys. The surfaces of these bars are numbered with multiple values of each aligned key, a single separate figure at the extreme right indicating the full scale range value. The range selector bars each have an identical spur gear 08 meshed with the intermediate gear 89, so that rotation of the manual control knob 90 attached to one of the bars will cause a corresponding amount and direction of rotation of both bars. In this manner, the same range selector bar-values are simultaneously set for each row of keys as seen in Fig. 5. Only three of the range selector bar surfaces are here so numbered, providing three full scale ranges for which the maximum significant values are, one (1), two (2), and five (5) (which could represent ranges of 1000, 2000, 5000; 10.00, 20.00, 50.00; etc.)

In effect, the range selector bar values provide a simple means for multiplying a data value and for plotting that multiplied value by means of the corresponding submultiple control keys. Thus, in Fig. 5, the bars are set for the full scale range 500, as compared with the normal nominal full scale range of 1000. Then the value 337 can be plotted at a point 337/500, or nearly of the distance across the graph sheet.

In operation, plotting the value 337, using the full scale range 500, would be accomplished as follows:

In Fig. 5, starting with the primary keys, 337 is seen to lie between the corresponding range selector bar values of 30(0) three hundred, and 35(0) three hundred fifty, therefore the primary key5 beside the smaller value is manually depressed; in the secondary row of keys, which are always the value of the primary keys, the residual value of 37 (337 minus 300), is seen to lie between the multiple values 35 and 40, therefore th secondary key 1 beside the smaller value is manually depressed; on the control dial, since the range multiplier is 5, and since the control dial values are always of the secondary values. the residual value of 2 (37 minus 35), is set by adjusting the control dial to read 4, since 4 times 0.5 equals 2. It should now be apparent that plotting a value of 337 was resolved on the range selector bars into the addition of the three factors of 300 plus 35 plus 2, equal to 337. The actual control value set of course was 674, which is twice 337.

The devices for causing the automatic step advance of the sheet of graph paper during-the reverse, or return, operation of the manual operating lever I8 will now be described.

The graph sheet is held around a roller 5, as in a typewriter, and the roller 5 is rotated intermittently by the cooperation of two advancing devices herein termed rotary clutches. I

The roller 5 is a hollow cylinder (Figs. 1 and 2), having the attached end members I22, I22. The roller 5 is supported by a shaft 6 passing through end members I22, I22, and bearing in the side members 2 and 3. Knobs andB on the ends of shaft 5 are provided for manual adjustment of the roller. A collar I25 and the knob 1 on the shaft 5, prevent any lateral shift of roller 5 between the side members 2 and 3.

The roller 5 may be advanced by operation of either of the rotary clutches at each end of the roller. Friction drive discs I23, I23, at each end of the roller 5 are secured to the tubes I24 and I26 which are rotatably driven by the rotary clutches. Shaft 6 also passes freely through the members I23, I23, I24, and I26, and a knurled adjustin nut I21 on a threaded part of shaft Ii may cause the roller 5 to be held tightly between the drive discs I23,|23 or may be oppositely adjusted to free the roller 5 from driving connection by th discs I23, I23, secured to the rotary clutches. When thusly disconnected, the roller 5 may b manually adjusted rotatably (see Fig. 2) by the internal connections comprising the pins I28, I28, secured to one of the roller endmembers I22, the pins I28, I20, bearing freely through holes I30, I30, in the bar I29 fast on the shaft 6. The disconnection by knurled nut I21 is only necessary when it is desired to adjust the roller (and sheet of paper) back, since the roller 5 may always be manually adjusted ahead by knobs I and 0, in the same direction as effected by operation of the rotary clutches, without disengaging the drive discs I23, I23, from roller 5.

The action of the two rotary clutches is similar to that manual action of the hands, wrists, and arms used when, e. g., a round rod or bar is held and intermittently rotated unidirectionally in the hands.

Only one of the two identical rotary clutches, shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 11, need be described. In Figs. 10 and 11, a rotary clutch drum I3I is mounted to drive the connected tube I24 rotatably on the shaft 6. A thin flexible band or strap I32 is held in frictional contact around the drum I3I by the pins I 33 and I34 at its ends.-

The pins I33 and I34 are secured to the side members I35 and I35 generally as shown, the side members I35 and I36 being mounted spaced apart by the intermediate block I31, Thus. the

17- members I33 to I31 form a. frame which is supported from the rotary clutch drum I3I by the clutch. band I32- At the. lower end of. this frame Iii-43"! is a. cross-rod I38 pivotal in the side members I35 and I35. A rotary clutch control rod I39 is adjustably threaded through cross-rod I38 and is connected to the drive means for the. rotary clutch. Two identical tension springs. I40, I40, areattached as shown, the lower ends. rotatabl on the tube I24 and the upper ends securedto the uppermost part of the rotary clutch frame. These tension springs maintain the rotary clutch. band I32- in close frictional. driving connection with the drum I3I, resulting. in a minimum lost motion of the. band I32. duringoperation. of the rotary clutches. Referring now to Fig. 10, it will be seen thatwith the tube I24 held stationary, pulling to the left on the rod I39 will reduce the frictional grip of the band I32 on the drum I3I so that. the band I32 merely slides inoperatively around the drum. If, however, the control rod I39 is pushed to. the right (in Fig. 10), the. frictional grip. of band. I32v on the drum I3 will hevv increased resulting in an. immediate and positive rotary drive of the drum I'3I by the band I32, providing a positive rotary drive of the connected tube I24. As was pointed out before, only one rotary clutch at a tim is operated to cause the step advance of roller the other rotary clutch acting to hold the roller from rotation during the initial, inoperative action of an operated rotary clutch.

Only one of the two separately manually actuated drive mechanisms for the rotary clutches is shown in Fig. 2, since the operation of both rotary clutches is. identical.

The rotary clutches are mounted on shaft 6 at each end of roller 5' with the clutch frame towards the front of the machine so that the roller 5 will'be rotated (in Fig. 2) counterclockwise, by the aforesaid friction drive discs I23, I23, which are in turn rotatably driven by the rotary clutches. The control rod I39 is pivotally attached by pin MI in ayoke piece I42 connected.

to the tube I43 slidablealong the leadscrew I44. The upper end of leadscrew I44 bears freely in the cross-bar 4 while the lower end bears freely in a bracket I 45.attachedto side member 2. A guide rod I46 parallel to leadscrew I44 is. se-- cured at its ends to the cross-bar 4 and the bracket I45. A guide bar I4! attached to. slide. tube I43. is also slidable on rod I46 and prevents rotation of slide tube I43 on leadscrew I44- The members I42, I43, and I4! thus. are movable as a unitalong the leadscrew I44 and rod I46 and for conyenience will be referred to as the. control slide. The control knob I48 and the collar I49 prevent any longitudinal movement of theleadscrew I44. A stop bar I50 is threadably engaged on leadscrew I44 and. is guidably slidable on guide rod I46. By rotation of controlknob I48 the stop bar I50 may be. adjusted to any desired position along leadscrew I44. The adjusted posi tion of the stop bar I50 determines the extreme. limit of upward movement of. the control slide an'dlthu's determines the amount of step advance of the roller 5that. may beeffected by anoperated rotary clutch. A tensioned spring I5I connected between. stop bar I50 and guide bar I41 provides the power means for raising the control. slide until stopped by the stop. bar I50. Obviously', as the control slide is raised by spring I5I, the connected control rod I39 will pull the lower end of the rotaryclutch-frame towards the-rearof' the machine, and the clutchban'd I3 2: will. merely 18 slide inoperatively around the clutch drum I3I as earlier described. This action occurs during the forward operation of the manual operating lever I8. Motion of the control slide by spring i5I is restrained by a cable I52 which passes around idler pulley I53 on bracket I54 and thence to the lower part of a segmental pulley I55, around it, and attached at its top. The segmental pulley I55 bears freely on the shaft 2|, but is normally prevented from free rotation thereon by an extended pin I55 secured to the pulley 65 fast on the shaft 2|. The washer I51 on shaft 2| merely spaces the segmental pulley I55 apart from pulley B5. A spring I58 on bracket I59 provides a frictional drag on pulley so that this pulley will not normally be rotated by shaft 2I. Thus, as the operating lever I8 is pulled forward, the pulley 65 is rotated, and the pin I56 is followed by the front edge of the segmental pulley I55 as the spring I5I raises the control slide. When the control slide moves against the stop bar I50, the control slide stops, and although the operating lever l8 may continue forward, the cable I52 is no longer pulled by the control slide, and therefore, because of the friction spring I58, the segmental pulley I55 does not move, the pin I56 on pulley 65 merely moving away from the front edge of segmental pulley I55. When the operating lever I8 is reversed, the pin I55 on pulley 65 re-engages the front edge of pulley I55 as a positive return drive on the cable I52, pulling down the control slide so that the lower end of the rotary clutch is pushed rightwards (as in Figs. 2 and 10) by the control rod I39. This action results in thepositive drive of the rotary clutch drum I3I by the clutch band I32, so that the roller 5 is retatably advanced a step. In the present invention, the step advance of the roller 5 is variably adjustable by the control knob I48 on leadscrew I44 which adjusts the position of the stop bar I50.

The other rotary clutch is operated in the same manner by the separate manual control lever 22 (Fig. 1) connected to a duplicate drive mechanism.

An important design feature of these rotary clutch controls not previously emphasized, is the essential initially horizontal position of the control rods I39. This is necessary so that the thrust on an unoperated rotary clutch control rod I39, effected by operation of the other ro-- tary clutch, will be directed perpendicularly to the leadscrew I44, and thus, this thrust will notresult in any displacement of the control slide along leadscrew I44 (Fig. 2). In the illustrated embodiment of the invention. only a simple control knob I48 is shown on leadscrew I44 for adjustment of the rotary clutch step advance. In practice, however, a system (not illustrated) in which a spur gear is attached at the top of leadscrew I44, with driving con nection by means of a suitable worm on an ex.- tended shaft having a digital counter mechanism at one end, and a control knob at the other end, will be found more useful and practical. Thus, rotation of the control knob would cause the counter to register numerically, such that the registered numerical values would represent the relative step advance of the sheet of graph paper, which relationship could be easily and accurately graphically interpreted.

The means by which the sheet of graph paper may be held against and/or released from the roller 5 are of generally conventional design such as used, e. g., in ordinary typewriters, a suitable form being illustrated partially in Fig. 1. The rollers I60 are rotatable on shaft I6I held against roller by the control members I62 (pivotal on a support rod II4) which may be swung in or out by the cut-out sections I63 m a control rod I I5 operated by the manual control knob I64.

A duplicate arrangement is provided (not shown) supported at the lower, rearward part oi. the roller 5. Not illustrated are springs urging the lower ends of control members I62 into the cut-out sections I63 to press the rollers I66 against the roller 5. In order to hold the sheet of paper continually against the roller 5 as it moves upwardly from the other rollers I60, another rod I65 carrying the rollers I66 is mounted as shown, the ends of rod I65 being pivotally supported by suitable brackets (not shown) attached to the cross-bar 4.

From the previous description it may be gathered that a graph sheet may be inserted around the roller 5 and adjusted so that its vertical datum line coincides with the zero positionof the pen 9|. The rotary clutch control knob I48 may be manually adjusted to preset the desired step advance of the graph sheet and the control keys and control dial preset according to the data value being entered. The control lever I8 is then pulled steadily forward by the operator providing the power means for operation of the machine. The primary positioning element pushes the transverse clutch to a primary position determined by an operated primary control key I3, and the consecutively actuated secondary positioning element in cooperation with the clutch part of the transverse clutch, moves the transverse clutch further ahead to a secondary position determined by an operated secondary control key I4 and its coacting secondary positioning element stop 46, in order to locate the pen SI horizontally a differential distance from said vertical datum line according to the digital control devices operated. While the pen is located at this position, further operation of manual lever I8 releases the catch I06 so that the tensioned spring IIO, through the instrumentalities of the print control bar I95, print control rod 98, bars 95 and 96, and arms 93 and 94, may swing the pen 9| in against the graph sheet to print a single graph point which is representative of the entered data value by virtue of its position on the graph sheet. The graph sheet has been held stationary during all the preceding actions, but after the graph point has been printed by the pen 9|, the manual lever I8 is pushed steadily back by the operator in order to effect the step advance of the graph sheet and to return the various pen positioning elements to their original, normal positions. The other rotary clutch (on the left in Fig. 1) may be separately actuated by the manual control lever 22 according to its adjusted control knob whenever itis desired to effect a separate step advance of the graph sheet without printing a graph point.

Since the basic novel features of the invention are shown and described it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and changes in operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device for printing graphical records, a diiferentially adjusted primary element, a differentially adjusted secondary element, a movable carriage, a coordinate mark printing member mounted on said movable carriage, an automatic clutch part on said carriage, means for giving the carriage an initial adjustment without operation of said clutch part according to the differential adjustment of the primary element, and other means for giving the carriage a second, consecutive adjustment by the automatic operative engagement of said clutch part with said secondary element according to the differential adjustment of the secondary element, to put the printing member in one of several printing positions according to the differential adjustments of both of said elements. j

2. In a device for printing a graph record, a plurality of different denominational order print controlling elements, means for adjusting said elements to represent numbers, a movable carriage, a point printing member mounted on said movable carriage, means for moving said carriage by the highest order element, other means including a clutch part associated with said carriage which is automatically clutched to the next order element for giving said carriage a second adjustment by the said next order element, means for feeding said record in front of said printing member, and means for impressing the member against the record.

3. In a graph printing machine, plural orders of manually operable data entering devices, means whereby only one of said devices in each order may be selectively operated for each datum entering operation, a movable carriage, a printing member on said movable carriage, plural adjusting elements for moving said carriage each under control of one of said entering devices in each order, a clutch part associated with said carriage and operatively connectable with the second of said plural adjusting elements, means whereby said elements in cooperation with said clutch part effect a positioning of said carriage according to the operated entering devices to put the printing member in a printing position which is representative of the data by virtue of its location, and 'means for impressing the member against the graph sheet for making a graphical mark at this location.

4. In a machine for printing a graphical rec: ord on a graph sheet with a vertical datum line, an adjustable keyboard, two denominational or: ders of laterally spaced digital data entering keys mounted on said keyboard, a lower order data entering control dial for effecting a lateral'ad-I justment of said keyboard, a movable carriage, a printing member mounted on said movable carriage, an automatic clutch associated with said carriage, an adjusting element under control of. the highest order keys and the control dial for giving the carriage an initial adjustment without operation of said clutch, a second adjusting element under control of the next order keys and the control dial for giving the carriage a consecutive adjustment by the automatic operative engagement of said clutch with said second ele-- ment to put the printing member in a printing position a horizontal distance from said vertical datum line representative of all of said entered data, means for impressing the member against the graph sheet while it is so located, and means for effecting a step advance of the graph sheet;

v5. In a machine of the class describedjdevices-for entering three par-tsoi' related data, a

movable element, means under controlof one of said entering devices for adjusting said element, a movable carriage which is adjusted by said element, a point printin member mounted on said carriage, a second consecutively movable element, a second means under control of another of said entering devices for adjusting said second element, a clutch part associated with said carriage which becomes operativel-y engaged with said second element when said second element is moved for giving the carriage a second adjustment by said second element, a third means under control of the third of said entering devices for adjusting the other entering devices to give the carriage a further adjustment, and means for impressing said printin member against a record sheet to print a mark which is representative of all of said data by virtue of its position on said sheet.

6. In a machine for printing a graph sheet, a plurality of sets of differentially spaced manually operable motion-limiting devices with data entering indicia representative of their difierentlal control, a plurality of elements each adjusted under :control of, certain of said motion-limiting devices to extents representative of said entered data, a printing means for making on the graph sheet a single graphical mark representative of said data, means under control of said elements for positioning said printing means differentially to locate said printing means in a printing posi tion which is representative of said data, and means for actuating said printin means while it is located differentially.

'7. In a graph printing machine controlled by entering numbers with data representations in a plurality of columns, a plurality of adjusting elements, a plurality of set of manually operable data entering devices, one for each column, for entering said representations by limiting the differential movement of said plural adjusting elements, the extent of movement of each element being representative of the datum in a column of the entered number, a movable carriage, a printing member mounted on said movable carriage, means for adjusting said carriage according to the effective contributory movement of each of said elements to adjust said member to print a single Cartesian coordinate representation of data in a plurality of said columns, and means whereby selective operation of one of said data entering devices in each set controls the movement of each corresponding adjusting element whereby the printing member will be influenced to print a single Cartesian coordinate representation of all of the selectively entered data on the graph sheet.

8. In a machine for printing a graph sheet with a vertical datum line, plural denominational orders of laterally spaced digital control keys comprising sets of primary and secondary control keys, a movable carriage, a printing member mounted on said movable carriage, a primary positioning element for giving the carriage an initial adjustment according to the lateral position of an operated primary control key, a secondary positioning element, a clutch part associated with said carriage and connectable with said secondary positioning element, said secondary positioning element having a number of attached stops corresponding to and cooperative with the secondary control keys for giving the carriage a second, further adjustment by the secondary positioning element according to the difierential lateral positions of an operated sec- 22 ondary control key and its corresponding stop, means for impressing said printing member against the graph sheet while the carriage is so positioned to record by a single mark the summation of the adjustments made by both ele ments, said mark being located horizontally a diiierential distance from said vertical datum line according to the control keys operated in each order, and means for effecting a variably adjustable step advance of the graph sheet between printing operations.

9. A keyboard-controlled graph printing machine of the type described comp-risin supporting and advancing means for a graph sheet, a carriage movable transversely to the direction of advance of said sheet, a printing member carried by said carriage for marking said sheet, a keyboard having two rows of differentially spaced motion-limiting control keys with data entering indicia representative of their differential con trol, a movable element, means under control of one of said keys of one of said rows for adjusting said element, means whereby the adjustment of said element eiTects an adjustment of said carriage, a second movable element, means under control of one of said keys of the other of said rows for adjusting said second element, a leveraction clutch mechanism connected between said carriage and said second element for enabling a further adjustment of said carriage by said second element when that element is adjusted, and means for impressing said printing member against said graph sheet consecutively to the second adjustment of said carriage to print a mark which is representative of all of said entered data by virtue of its position on said sheet.

10. In a graph printing machine of the type described, a movable carriage, a printing member mounted on said carriage, a primary positioning element, means for giving said primary positioning element an adjustment, a set of control devices for limiting the extent of adjustment of said primary positioning element, means for giving the carriage a simultaneous adjustment by said primary positioning element, a secondary positioning element, a clutch mechanism carried by said carriage which is connectable with said secondary positioning element, means for giving the secondary positioning element an adjustment, an other set of control devices for limiting the extent of adjustment of said secondary positioning element, and means for giving the carriage a second simultaneous adjustment by said secondary positioning element through the instrumentality of the interconnected clutch mechanism to put the printing member in one of several printing positions according to the difierential adjustment of both of said positioning elements.

11. In a machine for printing a graph record, devices for entering two parts of related data, a movable element, means under control of one of said entering devices for adjusting said element, a movable carriage which is adjusted by said element, a point printing member mounted on said carriage, a second movable element, a second means under control of another of said entering devices for adjusting said second element, and a clutch mechanism on said carriage which becomes operatively engaged with said second element when that element is moved for giving the carriage a further adjustment by said second element, whereby said elements in cooperation with said clutch mechanism effect a positioning of said printing member for marking a single Cartesian coordinate representation of said entered data on said graph record.

12. In a machine for printing a graph record, a movable printing member, plural adjusting elements for moving said member, plural sets of differentially placed manually operable datum entering devices, one set for each element, for controlling the magnitude of adjustment of each of said elements, means for making effective a single one of said entering devices in each of said sets, and means under control of said elements for adjusting said printing member according to the magnitude of the entered datum value and proportionately to the numerical sum of the dif- Ierential placements of each effective entering device to put the printing member in a printing position which is representative of said entered datum value.

13. In a machine for printing a graph record, a movable printing member, plural adjusting elements for moving said member, plural sets of difierentially spaced manually operable control devices, one set for each element, for limiting the adjustment of said elements, and means under control of said elements for positioning said printing member differentially to locate said member in a printing position which is representative of the sum of the adjustments made by each of said elements.

14. A device of the type described in claim 5 wherein the clutch part for connectin the carriage with the second adjusting element comprises a pair of parallel levers pivotally connected to said carriage and a pair of transverse pins secured between said levers, said pins being spaced apart somewhat more than the diameter of an integral rail of said second element which passes freely between the opening encompassed by said levers and said pins, and means whereby said levers are normally held in angular relationship to said rail for holding said pins in frictional contact with said second element rail. 1

15. In a machine for printing a graph sheet, plural sets of differentially spaced manually operable motion-limiting devices with data entering indicia representative of their differential control, a plurality of elements each adjusted under control of certain of said motion-limiting devices to extents representative of said entered data,,a printing means for making on the graph sheet a single graphical mark representative of said data, and means under control of said elements for positioning said printing means diiferentially to locate said printing means in a printing position which is representative of said entered data.

RALPH ANDREW ANDERSON.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS France Jan. 5, 1922 

